The role of the tongue in post-stroke dysphagia and obstructive sleep apnea: Correlation with sonography measurement.

OBJECTIVE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common risk factor for stroke, and dysphagia and pneumonia are both well-known complications of stroke. The development of these conditions is related to the oropharyngeal structures. We investigated whether specific structural features of the tongue may lead to the development of these complications.

METHODS

Patients with ischemic stroke who required admission and community-dwelling elderly controls were enrolled. The participants underwent tongue measurements by received hand-held ultrasound, and received questionnaires to evaluate sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. The patient group also underwent objective sleep measurement by actigraphy and the 3-Step Swallowing Test (3-SSS). Sleep parameters and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patient with ischemic stroke had significantly thicker tongue than controls (6.53 cm v. 6.05 cm, p = 0.002). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the anatomical parameters of the tongue in patients with stroke were significantly correlated with parameters of OSA, and the thickness of the tongue was positively correlated with the development of OSA (p = 0.024) and pneumonia (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

A thicker-than average tongue may be a risk factor for OSA and pneumonia in patient with stroke. Hand-held ultrasound can be used to identify these anatomical features. Further studies are warranted to clarify the role of the tongue in these post-stroke complications.